June 20, 2014

Fireplaces create a sense of warmth and add luxury to a space – and of course, act as strong focal points to any room. One of our clients was looking to upgrade their outdated fireplace in their master bedroom to better reflect their contemporary aesthetic. We replaced their traditional mantel and pink marble with a sleek and minimal striped marble façade to create a truly contemporary fireplace.

As you can see below, our design vision comes to life, from the initial site visit through to the final product.

The final outcome - a lush marble fireplace that provides warmth, texture and a calming focus to the master bedroom (Casey Design/Planning Inc. - photograph by Donna Griffith)

This traditional and dated fireplace was in a location with so much potential for a big "wow" moment. With some tweaks, we knew this fireplace could become a great focal point.

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DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="f… — Our Senior Interior Designer, James Janz, sketches the vision of the marble fireplace. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc.)

The demolition begins as we remove the stone and traditional mantel.

An elevation of our final concept, with details such as drapery, accessories and artwork framing the marble fireplace and contributing to the successful contemporary redesign. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.)

The final result! (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.)

June 16, 2014

With summer's warm and beautiful weather finally making an appearance, many are heading up north to enjoy their cottages for the season. One of my favourite things about designing cottages for my clients is being able to create an environment that is completely different from their urban home. Clients often crave a country oasis that connects their cottage to the great outdoors – while their urban homes often serve as refuges from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Keeping this concept in mind, I find that the most successful cottage designs are those that balance both natural and refined elements, in order to create a sense of permanence and history in a current and contemporary space. Little details make a space feel like it’s been there forever – which is something that is especially difficult to achieve in a newly built space.

We're working on building a cottage retreat for one of our clients. Take a look at some sketches and inspiration images for this project.

On the exterior, we utilized simple forms and a colour palette that complements the surrounding environment.   (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc.) — On the exterior, we utilized simple forms and a colour palette that complements the surrounding environment. (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc.)

Our design takes shape - the wraparound deck will be a wonderful feature in the warm summer months. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.)

External site studies often guide the overall direction and aesthetic of the cottage space to be designed. This process sketch analyzed  the relationship between the structure and the surrounding environment to ensure the best combination of si… — External site studies often guide the overall direction and aesthetic of the cottage space to be designed. This process sketch analyzed the relationship between the structure and the surrounding environment to ensure the best combination of site position, orientation and integration into the landscape. (Casey Design / Planning Group Inc.)

We looked for inspiration from structures with clean, simple forms and natural materials. The combination of these two elements create a contemporary architectural structure that works harmoniously with the natural environment. (Nick Noyes Architect… — We looked for inspiration from structures with clean, simple forms and natural materials. The combination of these two elements create a contemporary architectural structure that works harmoniously with the natural environment. (Nick Noyes Architecture)

For the interior, we wanted to design a space that felt open and airy. We were inspired by uniform colour palettes and exposed structural details that created a sense of harmony on the inside to focus views to the outdoors, as seen in this photo. (R… — For the interior, we wanted to design a space that felt open and airy. We were inspired by uniform colour palettes and exposed structural details that created a sense of harmony on the inside to focus views to the outdoors, as seen in this photo. (Robert Young Architects)

June 6, 2014

Theresa Casey in the lower courtyard of her eclectic garden.

The May 2014 issue of House & Home features an inspired courtyard garden designed by Theresa and her husband, Robert. Not only is it beautiful, it serves a variety of functions - eating and entertaining, relaxing, gardening and creating art in the studio. To achieve this, four zones were planned: an upper terrace, a lower courtyard, a cozy sitting area and an artist's studio in the underused garage.

A rich layering of textures, such as stone, brick, wood, iron and lush planting beds create a visual and sensory oasis in the city, reminiscent of European courtyards nestled in small, hidden urban spaces.

If you are interested in more details about the story behind this urban retreat, check out the May 2014 issue of House & Home. Below you will find a few shots showing the construction of the garden and scenes from the magazine photo shoot.

Theresa's husband, Robert, mapping out the lower courtyard, following the plan's outline of the upper terrace/dinning area.

The garden, stripped down to its bare elements - including the single slab stone bench at the back - before weathered stone was laid for the floor and steps up to the terrace.

Casey Design/Planning Group is featured in the May 2014 House & Home "Inspired Home" issue. — Casey Design/Planning Group is featured in the May 2014 *House & Home* "Inspired Home" issue.

The garden in full growth after the reconstruction - seen from the back - with the salvaged fountain centered in the lower courtyard.

Egyptian Deco doors lead into Theresa's studio from the stone courtyard.

Once a garage used for storage, the studio features exposed brick, salvaged antique French clay  tiles and wood beams that create a sense of age and character. — Once a garage used for storage, the studio features exposed brick, salvaged antique French clay tiles and wood beams that create a sense of age and character.

The walls and tables are adorned with found objects and inspirational images from Theresa's eclectic collections.

At the photo shoot, photographer Donna Griffith checks her lighting and image cropping before taking her superb photographs.

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LatentStyleCount="276">… — Behind the scenes in Theresa’s studio, Donna works to get the perfect angle

The end result - a lush, romantic and inspirational courtyard that welcomes  many different uses and acts as a "growing canvas" for the designer's ideas and creative experiments. — The end result - a lush, romantic and inspirational courtyard that welcomes many different uses and acts as a "growing canvas" for the designer's ideas and creative experiments.

April 30, 2014

Love the textured, diamond-patterned brown floor with the graphic pillows surrounded by the white backdrop. Simply sophisticated! (DPages).

When I think of white and brown colour schemes, I think of a well-dressed French woman. A crisp white blouse, tan linen pencil skirt, smart pumps and a killer handbag. To me, whites and browns evoke a classic French woman's style.

In short, elegance with purpose. It's what I wear on days that I want the world to know I mean business. This same kind of thinking can be applied to interiors. If you are confident yet don't want to show off, if you know your style and don't want your home to speak before you do, then this kind of palette might be for you.

In the samples below, you can see right away what I'm talking about. For me these interiors have the look of an airy Manhattan apartment on the upper Eastside - glamorous, soft, soothing and welcoming, while speaking of quiet sophistication.

If you are that person or want to be perceived as this person, this look is for you. Interiors are always about the fantasy to which you aspire, what environment you're most comfortable in, and sometimes an elegant wardrobe can be the starting point.

A minimalistic brown and white office is so inviting and chic (Flickr).

The walnut, double vanity in combination with the creamy, white onyx floors and walls creates a glamorous soft and soothing ensuite retreat (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood).

Ethan Herringbone dinnerware by Ralph Lauren Home (Elle Decor). — Ethan Herringbone dinnerware by Ralph Lauren Home (Elle Decor).

The soft, multi-texutred tan and white color theme with the accent of the vintage brown metal cabinet creates a classic, calm and groovy apartment (Flickr).

The brown sofa in this country master suite with painted oak floors and travertine marble is dreamy and tranquil  (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood). — The brown sofa in this country master suite with painted oak floors and travertine marble is dreamy and tranquil (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Ted Yarwood).

The brown and white wallpaper layered with the vintage vanity makes this powder room a knock out (Mark D Sikes).

April 4, 2014

Look how wonderful this stripped chair looks with this Damask fabric wall! (Casey Design/Planning Group Inc. - Photo by Angus Fergusson).

I must say I love a stripe! So very versatile, it adds a tailored quality to drapery, upholstery or flooring. In terms of colour, a multicoloured stripe can be used to create a sporty energetic vibe, a black-and-white stripe can give a dynamic graphic punch or a tone on tone stripe can add interest without overpowering a space. The images below show how I have used stripes to create different effects, as well as projects by others I admire. I love them all!

Feature Fireplaces

June 20, 2014

Cottage Season Begins!

June 16, 2014

A Creative Retreat

June 6, 2014

Brownie Points

April 30, 2014

Changing Your Stripes

April 4, 2014